204 THE LIFE OF J.LMl-S D. 1'OllBKS. [CHAP. 



to support and comfort and defend and reward you, 

 is the prayer, dearest Mackintosh, 



' Of your affectionate friend, 



* JAMES I). FORBES.' 



To this letter Mackintosh was able to reply, not how- 

 ever with his own hand, but in words which he dictated 

 to his sister. 



'MY VERY DEAR SlR, ' CABXSTADT, February 1st. 



' The kindness of your letter overpowered me ; 

 but more, it sustained and comforted me. Since I 

 wrote you I have indeed been brought very low, and 

 think my end must be near. I suffer greatly from pain 

 in the spine, which has been weakened by so much 

 expectoration, so that sometimes I can find rest in no 

 position. Yet the Lord lias never yet tried me above 

 what He gave me strength to bear, and His goodness to 

 me is infinite. I think this light affliction over, and then 

 His own presence. My family are a great comfort to me. 

 Your name is written on my heart, and I can never 

 forget all your gentleness and kindness. If it be the 

 Lord's will to take me home, it is my joy to think that 

 we part only for a season. I desire to be most kindly 

 remembered to Mrs. Forbes and the dear children, and 

 ever am, 



' Your devotedly attached, and grateful, 



' JOHN MACKINTOSH. 



* I know I have your daily prayers. The ground of 

 my confidence is the alone merits of my dear Redeemer/ 



And so ended the friendship of these two, all of it 

 that was allowed on this side the grave. The record of 

 it is beautiful in itself, and will find a response in many 

 hearts in Scotland which remember one or both of these 

 two friends, so different in character yet united in affection. 

 In a Journal written long after, Forbes made this entry: 



'March lltk. John Mackintosh died at Carnstadt, 

 near StuttgarrL No event for a long time made such 

 an impression .on me : he was a most holy character/ . 



